Mounts on bottom of 1981 Special Frame

rem61

rem61

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Hello xs650 Gurus,

I'm working on a 81 Special that I bought missing several parts. I've tried to identify the mounts on each side of the (bottom) frame that has two bolt holes per side. My best guess is they are for the original twin exhaust. I'm building a cafe and doing a lot of de-tabbing. My exhaust will most likely be stock headers from Mike's with aftermarket mufflers. Any help would be much appreciated as always. See attached photos.
 

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Thank you rsor. That's what I thought. Are those mounts positioned where the header meets the muffler? Meaning at that seam.
 
I don`t know what your going to use for foot pegs but if you go with mid mounts they bolt to these brackets.
 
halfmile said:
I don`t know what your going to use for foot pegs but if you go with mid mounts they bolt to these brackets.
Click to expand...
My rear sets don't use that bracket. And they are mid mount...
IMG_0137.JPG
I'd lose those brackets
 
Before you cut everything off you "don't need", get all your parts together, and do a 'mock-up'. Better to cut things off later, than have to weld things back on. It's only stock once. Keep us updated, and send more pictures! We love pictures! ('Cuz we're nosy) :laugh:
 
Jim, I’m definitely going to do rear sets so you’re probably right but 59Tebo has a good point. I’m currently in mock up stage and doing some fabrication. By the way, what’s that little reservoir above your reset? If that’s a master cylinder do tell.
 
I definitely agree with 59Tebo. Don't cut anything off unless you are sure you are not going to use them.
The reservoir is the stock rear master cylinder for a '79 Special.
 
I have an 81. So it's possible to install the master cylinder off the handlebars? I've never liked the concept of the cylinder on the bars. Where would I get this and are there any instructions you know of online for installation? Would Mike's have this?
 
The headpipes really do benefit from a mount at the frame point, instead of hanging only from the head. My aftermarket (MAC) headpipes didn't have a tab on the pipe so I added "P" clamps ....

oZ5SCgU.jpg


PGZPNQY.jpg


They are homemade from stainless strap.
 
5twins, super helpful, thank you. That's the exhaust I want to use but with shorter mufflers. Do you know if Mike's sell just the headers?
 
rem61 said:
So it's possible to install the master cylinder off the handlebars? I've never liked the concept of the cylinder on the bars. Where would I get this and are there any instructions you know of online for installation? Would Mike's have this?
Click to expand...

This is for the rear disc brake. The front has it's own MC.
 
Yes, MikesXS sells just headpipes, but not the ones I have, at least not anymore. They have their own made up now. Years ago, before they did that, the MACs like I have is what they sold (that's where I got them).
 
@@ThatXS650Guy - Jim - are those Tarozzi rearsets?
http://www.xs650.com/attachments/img_0137-jpg.136009/

And if so, does the kickstart clear the peg when it's folded up? I'm looking at midsets and the choice seems to be Tarozzi (expensive but beautifully made) and Old School Speed/Lossa (which appear to be the same items). Are there any others out there?
 

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